Young Oldham dad given 'traumatic' terminal cancer diagnosis

Ryan Simonaitis, from Shaw, was a "fit and strong" joiner before he was diagnosed with ampullary cancer last year, a rare cancer that forms in the digestive system.

Now, 36-year-old Ryan and his family are looking to raise funds to help him live as long as he can and spend as much time as possible with his family.

Ryan's wife, Emma, said that one morning in December 2021, Ryan woke up with his skin "bright yellow", a sign of jaundice.

After multiple tests in hospital, it was established that Ryan had a suspicious growth in his digestive system and when he visited The Christie, the growth had grown and was deemed to be incurable.

Dad of three Ryan has been given a terminal cancer diagnosis in his mid-30s (Image: Emma Simonaitis)

Ryan said he was "scared and upset" when he was given the news.

He said: "It came out of nowhere and it kind of floored me.

"From that point, I've gone on to trying to fight it.

"I'm exercising more, I've changed my diet and I'm going through chemotherapy."

He is trying to prolong his life to spend as much time as he can with his three children Jake, aged 14, who is severely autistic, Natalia, aged nine, and Izzy, aged three.

Ryan is looking to spend as much time as he can with his wife and three children (Image: Emma Simonaitis)

Emma said the experience has been "traumatic" for the family, however, as well as looking to raise funds to help Ryan live longer, they are looking to raise awareness about his rare form of cancer.

Emma explained that Ryan's cancer is linked to a gene he carries called PALB2, which leads to an increased risk of people with the gene developing cancer.

She said: "There needs to be more awareness about this cancer and this gene."

As part of fundraising efforts that are being held, Team Hill Charitable Trust has organised a Race Night at Crompton Cricket Club on Friday, April 28 to raise funds for Ryan's treatment.

People can sponsor a 'horse' who will take part in a race, and although the event has been sold out, sponsorships are still available.

Ryan was a young, fit and strong man prior to receiving his diagnosis (Image: Emma Simonaitis)

Another fundraising effort has been set up by family friend Kimberley Kershaw, who is swimming 15-and-a-half miles in 20 days, with the money raised going to the Simonaitis family.

Ryan said: "The charitable things have been great.

"It's massively important to raise awareness about the cancer and gene so that other people can get diagnosed quicker."

To donate to the Simonaitis' GoFundMe page, click here.